Whittled Words – Rondine Poem

Posted by Brad Osborne on October 30, 2020 · 15 Comments 

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Welcome to the weekly series, Whittled Words. A series highlighting the innumerable types and styles of poetry to challenge any creative wordsmith. This week’s selection:

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RONDINE POEM

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If the term “rondine” sounds familiar, almost like rondeau, that is because it’s very similar to the rondeau. In fact, I am thinking of calling it the little rondeau, because it is kind of like a mini version of the rondeau.

So here are the basic rules:

• 12-line poem
• 2 stanzas
• 7 lines in the first stanza; 5 lines in the second
• 8 or 10 syllables per line, except in the 7th and 12th lines
• 7th and 12th lines are a refrain
• The refrain comes from the opening word or phrase of the poem
• Rhyme pattern looks like this: abbaabR/abbaR

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Examples of Rondine Poems:

 

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Betwixt Winter and Spring

By Jan Hedger

Too early for the tortoise to wake from sleep

Woolly jumpers and belted cardigans

Signs of life in the cities gardens

Over the horizon, the sun does creep

No warmth; as winter still lies deep

Birds not returned from foreign lands

Too early.

Lambs cry out for mother sheep

Spring tides shift upon the sands

Rivers flow as the willow bends

No salmon yet to leap upstream

Too early.

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An Aries Girl

By Ashley Jordan

When I was young I used to dream

of great achievements and success

Designing how to be the best

So every night I’d plot and scheme

Ambition set my eyes agleam

Competing always, without rest

When I was young

I pushed and charged ahead full steam

Working hard to complete my quest

Looking forward I onward pressed

My need to win a constant theme

When I was young

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Winter into spring

By Ashley Jordan

Winter into spring, espouses

Ice and snow to blinding sun

Thunder storms and winds that run

Madly round the streets and houses

Lifting skirts and tugging blouses

Gusts of mischief, having fun

Winter into Spring

Feisty March, the garden rouses

Tousled heads as blooms awaken

Leave their beds, the earth to brighten

Wanton nature, wild, carouses
Winter into Spring

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When Is When

By Brad Osborne

If not now, then when is when?

To hear the cries and lament

Of the lives and souls now spent

They have shouted and even then

You turn deaf to pleas again

And fuel the people’s discontent

If not now

When can all be seen as friend?

Judged only by the content

Humanity convergent

If you have no ear to lend

If not now

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I hope you have enjoyed this entry to the series, Whittled Words. I look forward to your comments, and if you dare, maybe share your own Rondine poem. Thanks for reading!

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